Chris Carpenter to undergo season-ending surgery

FILE - In this June 12, 2012, file photo, injured St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Chris Carpenter stretches in the dugout in the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Chicago White Sox in St. Louis. Carpenter will undergo season-ending surgery to repair a nerve issue in his shoulder that has sidelined him since spring training and will need three to six months recovery time, according to general manager John Mozeliak, Tuesday, July 3. (AP Photo/Tom Gannam, File)
— AP

FILE - In this June 12, 2012, file photo, injured St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Chris Carpenter stretches in the dugout in the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Chicago White Sox in St. Louis. Carpenter will undergo season-ending surgery to repair a nerve issue in his shoulder that has sidelined him since spring training and will need three to six months recovery time, according to general manager John Mozeliak, Tuesday, July 3. (AP Photo/Tom Gannam, File)
/ AP

"I'm past the `woe is me part, the here we go again,'" Carpenter said. "I'm excited about the outcome I might get. We can get this taken care of and hopefully I can get back out there and be better than I have been in the past."

General manager John Mozeliak said recovery time is three to six months for what he described as a "relatively simple" operation. The surgery will be performed on July 19 in Dallas, fitting into Pearl's schedule given Carpenter won't be pitching for a while.

The list of pitchers who have resumed their careers after this surgery include Kenny Rogers, Matt Harrison and Kip Wells, the latter dealing with a vascular condition rather than a nerve condition.

"Guys do come back from this," Mozeliak said. "Pitchers do come back. He does want to pitch again, and this will give him the best opportunity."

The news provides clarity for the franchise a month ahead of the trade deadline for a team missing two members of the rotation. Left-hander Jaime Garcia has missed a month with a shoulder strain and on Tuesday resumed throwing, and the team projects a return in early to mid-August.

Mozeliak said he'd be open to picking up a starting pitcher, for short or long term. Lance Lynn is a surprise 10-game winner and an All-Star as the rotation replacement for Carpenter and rookie Joe Kelly, who started Tuesday night, was 1-0 with a 3.38 ERA in four starts subbing for Garcia.

There are innings load concerns with Lynn, a starter for the first time in the majors, and Adam Wainwright, a year removed from reconstructive elbow surgery.

"We're not guessing anymore," Mozeliak said. "Now, we know. If we can find a starter that would make the most sense for us."